On February 13, 2026, the "Civic Hype E: Youth Engage, Debate, Influence, Connect" project held its official online kick-off meeting, hosted by Alphabet Formation, the coordinator of the consortium. This initiative aims to strengthen civic engagement and uphold EU values amidst the challenges posed by disinformation and manipulation in democratic processes.
GEYC was represented by the National coordinator, Diana Ionita. The meeting began with a warm welcome and presentation of the agenda, followed by roundtable introductions. The core of the session included a detailed project presentation covering critical aspects such as:
- Work Packages: An overview of the structured activities planned for the project's duration.
- Communication and Dissemination: Strategies for sharing project outcomes and engaging the wider community.
- Quality and Monitoring: Processes to ensure the effectiveness and integrity of implementation.
- Reporting Process: Guidelines for tracking progress and reporting results.
- Q&A Session: An interactive segment for participants to clarify doubts and share insights.
- WP1 Guidelines & Next Steps: Specific instructions for the first work package.
As the project moves forward, it promises to contribute significantly to safeguarding public debate and reinforcing active European citizenship. The kick-off meeting marks an exciting beginning, and we look forward to sharing further updates.
About the Project
Timeline: 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2027
Funded under: The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV),
CERV-2025-CITIZENS-CIV-101252790.
Consortium
The Civic Hype EU project is a collaborative effort among several organizations:
- Alphabet Formation (Belgium) - Coordinator
- Fakeoff (France)
- Università degli Studi di Firenze (Italy)
- ALPMJ - Associação Literacia para os Media e Jornalismo (Portugal)
- Asociatia GEYC (Romania)
- Fondatsia za Predpriemachestvo, Kultura i Obrazovanie (Bulgaria)
Context
Civic Hype EU is designed to create a transnational network that mobilizes civil society actors, journalists, educators, and young people across six EU countries. This collaboration aims to enhance media literacy, expose disinformation, and promote evidence-based civic dialogue. Over the next 24 months, the project will implement 33 activities emphasizing education, awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy.
Aim and Objectives
The initiative aims to stimulate active participation in EU democratic life, reinforcing the values of freedom, equality, and solidarity. With more than 1,700 direct participants from diverse backgrounds, the project ensures that its impact is inclusive and sustainable, equipping local communities with the critical skills necessary to engage effectively in public discourse.